‘Business as usual’ in Davao City » Manila Bulletin News

DAVAO CITY — Two weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao, the city government here said that establishments here have been conducting “business as usual.”

Davao City (Keith Bacongco) Manila Bulletin File Photo

The local government said there was no establishments that closed shop nor were there investors who backed out from prospects here, according to the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC).

DCIPC head Lemuel Ortonio admitted that some businessmen had earlier expressed concerns related to the 60-day implementation of Martial Law. However, he said these concerns had been addressed and clarified with the stakeholders.

“We already have clarified some of the concerns of the business sector like the lockdown or if we have a curfew here,” Ortonio said. “There was an initial reaction but eventually, we have cleared it up,” he added.

Ortonio said the interest of investors in Davao City has not waned.

In fact, he said the DCIPC receives at least two investment inquiries each week.

Among those who recently inquired about potential areas of investment in the city were businessmen from China and Korea.

In the case of foreign investors, he said DCIPC constantly updates them on the security situation in the city. “We constantly update them of our security situation here; they have also realized that the implementation of Martial Law is also for their own benefit since it will ensure their safety once they visit Davao City,” Ortonio said.